Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

My sister comes with me as we wander around the space, admiring the gorgeous kitchenette with its white leather table space, the little living area that comes after that, the adorable, cleverly designed bathroom that makes the most of the minimal space allotted to it. But I really gasp when I see the bedroom tucked away in the back –

with its king-sized bed, and plush downy linens.

“Oh my god,” I say, quickly unbuckling Rafe from his carrier and groaning as I sit down with him on the bed which is as comfortable as it looks. “Oh, I missed big beds – ”

“Um, Ella,” Cora says, smirking at me from the doorway. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Huh?” I ask, confused.

“That’s my bed,” she says, her wicked smirk growing.

“What!?” I gasp, and then I groan as I remember Sinclair’s promise to her – a big bed for her and Roger. “Well then where do I sleep?!”

“Out there,” Sinclair says, appearing in the doorway behind Cora. “The couches transform – one into a queen for me and you, and the other into a twin, which my dad will take – ”

“Noooo,” I moan, tossing my head back and settling deeper into the pillows. “Can I sleep in here with Cora and Roger? I won’t take up much space – you can take the baby and -”

“No chance in hell,” Roger declares, pushing past Sinclair into the room with little travel bags filled with his and Cora’s stuff which isn’t much, considering we haven’t had access to any of our possession since we left the bunker. Roger places the bags on the ground and snaps his fingers at me when he straightens up. “Up, Ella. That’s my bed.”

“No, I need it,” I whine, pouting at him.

“Ella,” Cora says, unable to keep the mischief out of her eyes even though she pretends she’s serious. “I’m pregnant. I need my rest.”

I sigh then, glaring at her for playing the pregnancy card.

“Fine,” I growl, making them all laugh as I huff my way back to the living room. “But this queen-sized bed better be comfortable,” I say to my mate as I pass him.

“Fit for a Queen,” he says, following me back into the main living area of the RV and giving Roger and Cora a moment alone.

To my surprise, Henry has already settled himself at the front of the RV, locking his chair into a space where the passenger seat should be. He gives me a little wave before turning back to a set of maps. I take a moment to admire the ingenuity of the vehicle and how cleverly it’s been made accessible for someone in a wheelchair.

“You two ready?” Sinclair says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder and looking down at Rafe, still in my arms and looking happily around at all of the bright lights.

“Yes,” I say, meaning it as I give him a big smile. “How long do you think it will take to get there? To the temple?”

“We’ll probably get there sometime tomorrow,” Henry calls over his shoulder and Sinclair nods in agreement. “Oh,” I say with surprise. “So where will we sleep tonight?”

“A campground somewhere,” Sinclair says with a shrug. “We have to see how far we get. It’s part of the adventure, and part of staying anonymous. No reservations for people to know where we’ll be staying.”

“Do you think,” I say, glancing out the windows. “That we’ll be followed?”

“I don’t,” he says, placing a finger beneath my chin and turning my face back to him. “It’s all right, Ella,” he says softly. “You can relax. Enjoy it. You’ve worked so hard lately – let me… let me give this to you, as well as to Cora.”

And a soft smile finds my face as I realize that Sinclair’s willingness to take this trip was about ensuring that Cora and Roger get the answers that they need, but that it’s also about me. About us. About giving us a minute as well to just…breathe. To have a nice couple of days.

I nod to him, letting him know that I understand.

Roger comes out of the bedroom area, Cora close behind, and he claps his hands, asking if it’s time to get started. I settle myself down on one of the little grey couches, eager to see what happens next, and Cora sits next to me, likewise buzzing with excitement.

Then, as one, our mates turn towards the front of the RV and take a step towards the driver’s seat.

“Um,” Sinclair says, putting out a hand and settling it on Roger’s chest, stopping him. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To…drive,” Roger says, as if it’s obvious. Sinclair lets out a sarcastic little laugh. “Funny,” he says, gesturing towards where Cora and I sit with his other hand. “Go play checkers with your mate, Roger.”

“How can I do that, Dominic,” Roger says, his voice deadpan, “it will be very distracting to be playing a game while I’m driving.”

And then the two of them start to bicker about who is going to drive, making Cora and I dissolve into laughter.

“Do you think there’s really checkers?” I ask her, looking around at all the clever little compartments around me.

“I hope so,” she says, starting to open a drawer which I gasp to see is indeed stacked with a bunch of games – most of them magnetic so that we can indeed play them while we’re driving.”

Because I’m going to need a distraction if we’re going to listen to that all day,” she says, nodding towards the brothers who still continue to fight.

It takes them about fifteen minutes to come up with a driving plan that they both find equitable and Roger sits down next to Cora in a huff, letting Sinclair take the first shift.

“Red or black?” Cora asks him with a smirk, unfolding the board and placing it between them. “Black,” he sighs, scowling a little and looking jealously at his brother in the front of the RV.

“Poor baby,” Cora coos, running a hand through Roger’s hair. “Don’t worry – you can have your turn soon.”

His scowl deepens, making me laugh, and then – with a lurch – we’re on our way. My stomach twists with excitement. A road trip! I can’t even begin to think of anything I want to do more with my family right now.

“I get winner,” I declare, leaning back against the cushions with Rafe sitting happily in my lap as Roger and Cora begin to play. I’m looking forward to this relaxing little vacation, but deep down?

I’m most excited about Cora getting answers to her questions. Soon, I think, my stomach giving an excited little twist. Soon we’ll know the answers to so many mysteries about this baby.

Mysteries I’m absolutely dying to have solved.